African Goose Sexual Maturity

[NonasFarm]

I got 2 African Goslings from McMurray hatchery in the spring of 2022, along with 8 ducklings. The goslings were supposed to be one of each sex. They are all housed in the same pen and shelter at night. They have a large pasture for daytime foraging. At night I herd them into their covered pen that has an attached lean-to shelter. Also at night I leave out supplemental duck feed and a small bowl of scratch grains. In the winter I also leave a bowl of chopped cabbage. They have access to 2 kiddie pools, large buckets of water, and oyster shells all day and night. I get plenty of duck eggs, but have yet to get a goose egg. I tend to rely on books for my knowledge vs. the internet, but there is so little written specifically about domestic geese. All I can find is that in general geese reach sexual maturity between 1 & 3 years, but no information regarding the specific breed.
So anyone with African Geese, what is your experience?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They should have laid eggs their first adult spring, which would have been last year. They also would have gotten broody and defensive of any nest of eggs. Getting no eggs I would guess you may have 2 males.

 

[NonasFarm]

Well, shucks, am disappointed. Guess I'll have to try again. The larger one has a dewlap, so I was hoping that meant the smaller one was a female (doesn't have a dewlap). I got them as goslings and they had leg bands indicating one was female, but I guess the experts got it wrong this time.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Maybe if you posted some pictures our more experienced members may be able to help sex them.